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Chamber president sees ‘payback for NAMA’ in Budget

ELEMENTS of the budget were welcomed by Shannon Chamber president Ian Barrett at a breakfast briefing for members held last Thursday morning, as the country absorbed the detail of Brian Lenihan’s figures.“The chamber welcomes steps to take control of the public finances. It sends out the message that we are serious about it internationally,” he commented.He welcomed the message that corporation tax wasn’t being increased, saying the existing low rate was the single biggest factor in bringing foreign direct investment to Ireland.Mr Barrett welcomed the rates freeze in Clare. “Shannon Chamber lobbied hard on rates and I would like to applaud Clare County Council and the councillors for passing a zero per cent increase in rates and a three per cent cut in water rates.” He also welcomed a package for flooding relief and prevention.A presentation on the budget was given by Lesley Barrett and Eamonn Murphy of Grant Thornton.The credit review system mentioned in the Budget was described as …

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Councillors pushing for more library parking

CLARE County Council is being urged to provide additional disabled parking spaces at the Seán Lemass library.At this week’s meeting of local area councillors, Mayor of Shannon, Seán McLoughlin, asked that the situation be addressed and put forward three possible responses.They were: to widen the area in front of the library and put parking spaces with bumper to kerb parking; clean out the area at the back of the library and make it suitable for parking; or to provide disabled parking spaces at the back and front of the library.In his reply on the matter, however, engineer Eugene O’Shea said there are a number of difficulties to be addressed.“The road fronting the library is a private road and not in charge of the council. Widening of the area in front of the library is therefore not an option. In any event the road layout is not suitable for reversing vehicles due to inadequate sight lines and the vehicular access on …

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Roadworks needed after flooding

A SIGNIFICANT amount of roadworks are likely to be needed in Ennis due to the November flooding, according to the town council’s budget for 2010.“Road grants received in 2009 were substantially less than anticipated, due to funding restrictions at national level. The council has maintained its own resources allocation to the roads programme at €210,000. The overall situation regarding roads will need to be reviewed when road grants are notified in 2010, as there is evidence of significant work required as a result of the serious flooding that occurred in mid-November,” stated town manager, Ger Dollard in his introduction to the budget.He also said that the council is still looking at providing more off-street parking, while fewer people are breaching parking regulations in Ennis.“During 2009, the council advertised for expressions of interest for the provision of off street car parking in the town. Six expressions of interest were received and the council formed an assessment panel to consider the proposals. …

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No change to commercial rates

PARKING charges and commercial rates will remain at 2009 levels for another 12 months at least, as Ennis Town Council adopted its budget for the coming year at a special meeting last Thursday.There was little rancour, with the budget being adopted unanimously. Reviewing 2009, town manager Ger Dollard said that the grant to the town council had been cut twice in 2009, and when preparing the budget, an assumption of a 10% cut for 2010 had been made. Mr Dollard claimed that the current commercial rate in Ennis is “at the lower end of the scale” when compared to other similar-sized towns. He also said that it was estimated that the tax on second homes would generate around €350,000 for 2010.While Councillor Brian Meaney queried the assumption made that the cut in the Local Government Fund would be limited to 10%, Mr Dollard said that there were a number of unknowns but that the draft budget gave scope to deal …

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Kilrush budget cut by 12.5%

While the 2010 Kilrush Town Council budget, which was adopted last Thursday night, included no increase in commercial rates, overall expenditure for the provision of services in the town will be down 12.5% on the 2009 figures. The budget provides for €1,517,869 for the year ahead, compared to €1,736,384 for this year.Income for 2010 has been estimated at €732,298 compared to €887,179 in 2009. This estimate represents at 17.5% reduction in income for the year ahead in Kilrush. The decision to provide two hours of free parking in the lead-up to Christmas will also hit the town council budget.The budget also includes a 14% reduction in the town council payroll from that budgeted in 2009.Among additional key points adopted was a freeze on local authority housing rent rates, a 3% reduction in commercial water charges and an increase in the housing maintenance programme.With regard to the local road network, the town council expects a 10% reduction on their allocation next …

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Emergency flooding plan not on agenda

Despite the recent flooding in the county, there is no major emergency plan in place to deal with a re-occurrence in Kilrush.“Following recent flooding events within the county, a review will be taking place of Clare County Council’s major emergency plan and will be adjusted or modified as required,” Kilrush town engineer Derek Troy said in a written statement at last week’s Kilrush Town Council meeting.He was replying to Councillor Ian Lynch’s request for details of the Kilrush town emergency plan in the event of adverse weather conditions.“All works and emergency procedures that relate to Kilrush town are covered under Clare’s major emergency plan. Kilrush Town Council does not have an individual one for the town and there are no current plans to develop a major emergency plan specific to Kilrush,” Mr Troy added.Councillors pointed out that several parts of Kilrush, notably the Ennis and Cappa roads and the area near the handball alley, were badly affected by the recent …

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Talent Tank scoops Elevate Award

  A Kinvara-based entrepreneur with a fresh approach to the recession scooped a prize worth €60,000 at an awards ceremony held in Limerick recently.Tom Hayes of Talent Tank was unveiled as the Galway winner of this year’s Impact Media Elevate Award. The prize includes an advertising package, full marketing, design and PR services, print services, legal advice and a photographic session.Tom’s unique online service, TalentTank.ie, links people who are looking for job opportunities with employers who need fresh talent.This novel answer to the country’s financial woes made a big impression on Elevate judges Pat McDonagh of Supermacs, Tom Murphy of Total Shaving Solution and Niall McGarry of Impact Media, who chose Talent Tank over strong competition from Grab Radio and iBuyVochers.com.Talent Tank will now benefit from the fund designed to elevate emerging entrepreneurs to a whole new level.Tom told The Clare Champion, “Up until August 2009, we were inundated with users, so we know that the concept is massive. We …

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Labane hall returned to former glory

THE Loughnane and Quinn Memorial Hall in Labane secured a prize at the Galway County Heritage Awards recently but this was not the only highlight in what was a very busy year for the committee.“2009 has ended very well for the committee, despite a long and very trying year. On Wednesday, December 2 the committee won second place in the Galway County Heritage Awards in the Loughrea Electoral Area. There was stiff competition for this prize and it was a well-deserved win for members of the committee and of the community, who have worked tirelessly for a number of years to bring the hall back to its former glory,” Philip Gleeson, the hall’s PRO told The Clare Champion.“Most notable of this year’s highlights was the refurbishment of the hall in time for the ordination of local man Fr Martin Whelan. This was a huge event in the life of the whole community,” he continued.Much restoration work has been done on …

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